Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers open the season Wednesday night against the Utah Jazz, but a cloud still hangs over LA’s head regarding an ongoing NBA investigation.
Leonard and team owner Steve Ballmer are at the forefront of the investigation into whether the team allegedly helped facilitate a $28 million “no-show” endorsement deal for Leonard with a now-bankrupt sustainability company called Aspiration.
Aspiration, a green bank, was founded by Joe Sanberg and Andrei Cherny. Ballmer was an investor in the company.
The Clippers and Aspiration struck a $300 million sponsorship deal in 2021 that was vetted and approved by the league, according to ESPN.
It was some time after that sponsorship deal that the company reached a deal with Leonard.
The company declared bankruptcy in March.
What are the latest developments?
He had previously agreed to plead guilty to his role in a scheme that defrauded investors out of $248 million.
Kawhi Leonard addresses investigation
Leonard denied any wrongdoing during the team’s media day on Sept. 29, when he made his first public comments since the league opened the investigation.
“There’s no wrongdoing there,” Leonard said. “We’re just going to keep going as any other season. My name might pop up, but it is what it is. I’ve been through times like this before.”
The two-time NBA Finals MVP compared the investigation to more adversity in his career, including last year when his house and community caught fire during the L.A. wildfires.
Ballmer has not spoken publicly since Sept. 4, when he addressed the reports and allegations when they first surfaced.
Has the investigation impacted the team?
The Clippers players remain united and focused on the season ahead.
The team has been seen on social media participating in several team-bonding activities.
Leonard, James Harden and several members of the Clippers were seen in a post on social media painting walls and furniture that will be placed in homes across Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley.
The team also got together for the Los Angeles Rams’ game against the San Francisco 49ers on ‘Thursday Night Football’ earlier this month.
Will Clippers lose NBA All-Star Game?
The Clippers are still expected to host the All-Star Game at the Intuit Dome in February 2026.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver stated that there’s ‘no contemplation’ of moving the game while the investigation is taking place, according to the Associated Press.
USA TODAY’s Lorenzo Reyes contributed to this story